Essay about Narrative: Dna and Synthetic Human Protein

The impact of genetic change through human intervention has saved by some estimates over one billion human lives worldwide. India on the brink of famine due to overpopulation during the mid 20th century went from famine to self-sustaining cereal producers within 2 decades when Norman Borlaug’s High yielding wheat (HYW) variety was introduced.
The genetic manipulation of bacteria, in particular E.Coli, using Recombinant DNA techniques has resulted in huge advances in medical treatment; the production of synthetic human proteins such as insulin as a supplement for patients that cannot synthesize their own proteins has led to the lower mortality rate of the disease and a more comfortable lifestyle. Diabetics in need of insulin initially relied on insulin extracted from animal pancreases such as pigs before the production of synthetic human insulin was available. The animal insulin was less effective than human insulin and sometimes caused allergic reactions.
Like Insulin, other products can be manufactured through the use of biotechnology (e.g. recombinant DNA techniques) such as Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA or PLAT) which is produced normally in small quantities in humans to dissolve clots however in the event of embolism PLAT can be administered in higher doses to dissolve the clot hopefully saving the patient in time. The source of this synthetic human protein is a host cell (usually bacteria or sometimes an animal cell) which has had a promoter and a gene added to its genome from another source in this case a human but the promoter may be from a bacterium; the result is a ‘transgenic’ organism. The selection of the appropriate promoter results in the vast amounts of the protein being synthesized which can then be extracted from the cells in concentrations far greater than could be extracted from a natural source.
Genetic manipulation offers the promise of one day curing devastating genetic diseases such as Cystic fibrosis (CF) and Huntington’s disease (HD) via gene therapy and/or gene silencing in some cases. Many sufferers of genetic diseases are crippled for life, have significantly shorter lifespans and are usually co morbid suffering depression and anxiety disorders by association their entire lives. The possibility of genetically manipulating a human to be free of genetic defects paves the way for the potential for abuse. The sensitivity of human manipulation means that germ line gene therapy is strongly protested against and is regarded to as playing God and this is where the strong influence of Religious institutions and belief systems halt the work of genetic researchers and in many ways the treatment and eradication of some of the most debilitating diseases afflicting mankind.
Initially some of the first genetic manipulations performed were using mutagens on bacteria and Fruit flies by association of the research we gained a better understanding of how mutation occurs in DNA, different types of mutations and what sources can and do cause mutations (mutagens) such as Ultraviolet light and Ionizing radiation, as a result society now better understands certain environmental risks and measures are taken to minimize the harmful effects of these mutagens such as the wearing of sunscreen and hats or the use of lead shielding where radioactive materials are involved.
The salvation of lives by way of Borlaug’s HYW and all cases where Genetic research has affected survival may to this day have played a role in the current population crisis of the earth and the demand for resources (such as fossil fuels, food and land) and subsequently the condition of the natural environment. Borlaug’s HYW broke the Malthusian trap that predicted the human population would plateau when food resources would become too strained instead a population explosion occurred thanks to the supply of more food resources and energy requirements, transport, vehicle production and oil use…

regulatory sites across the human genome.
Like 0 Tw eet 11 0 2
In an effort that rivals the original human genome project in scale and scope, researchers from around the world have been collaborating for the past five years to understand the non-coding regions of the human genome—the more than 95% of the genome that’s been dubbed “junk DNA” in the past. Now, with the simultaneous publication of 30 papers describing their findings, the team has reported that more than 80% of the human genome does indeed…

stress
CHAP 2
PROTEINS
CARBOHYDRATES
LIPIDS
NUCLEIC ACID
MOLECULES ARE ESSENTIAL TO LIFE
compounds of carbon
All are organic bc they contain carbon in their structures
*** carbon along with H, O, N account for 96% of the body weight
carbon valence # is 4 ( outer most orbit )
pg 44 Carbon and its functional groups table 2.5
Carbon always in all organic molecules
name and structure ( they are Macro LARGE and very important functionally within human cells within the…

Topic 1 2012 Basic Nucleic Acid Isolation, Manipulation and Analysis
Key points:-
DNA and RNA easily purified but as whole cellular populations, not specific sequences.
RNA preps. can have significant DNA contamination.
DNA in plasmids or phage can be purified selectively.
Oligonucleotides can be synthesized chemically but efficiency and purity decrease with length. Also, product has 5’ –OH after de-protection. Variants can be made with unnatural bases or variations on phosphodiester…

Proteins
Proteins are a class of organic compounds which are present in and vital to every living cell. In the form of skin, hair, callus, cartilage, muscles, tendons and ligaments, proteins hold together, protect, and provide structure to the body of a multi-celled organism. In the form of enzymes, hormones, antibodies, and globulins, they catalyze, regulate, and protect the body chemistry. In the form of hemoglobin, myoglobin and various lipoproteins, they effect the transport of oxygen and other…

of my father’s business shaped my life in a profound way. The business forced me to develop strong communication skills. I was fortunate enough to make money and build a clientele. I was anonymously selected to travel the nation working for a synthetic turf company. Lastly, to pursue my ultimate goal, I returned home to enroll in school while working for myself.
At the age of sixteen, I began answering the phone calls, scheduling jobs, and doing service calls for my father’s business. In my…

1. Discuss the significance of the human genome project
The Human Genome Project (HGP) was one of the great feats of exploration in
history - an inward voyage of discovery rather than an outward exploration of the
planet or the cosmos; an international research effort to sequence and map all of the
genes - together known as the genome - of members of our species. The HGP gave us
the ability to read nature's complete genetic blueprint for building a human being.
2. Describe some benefits and problems…

confidential and anonymous, but is it really? Who knows where they store the information or who has access to your DNA after that. It is a scary thought to think someone irresponsible would have access to all that information and what they could do with it.
Although I wouldn’t want my information mapped out, I think that the Human Genome Project is wonderful. After all the research and mapping out DNA we have been able to find cures for diseases, people can find out if they are predisposed to certain diseases…

History of Genetic Engineering
Humans have a long history of experience with the biotechnology of artificial selection. The
first known domesticated species is the dog (Scarre, 2005). Traits originally selected for included
docility and obedience, among others. Another species humans modified through selective
breeding is cattle. Still today bulls are selected for their resilience and manageability. The
harvesting of plants with specific traits eventually led to plant domestication and…

unimportant factors concerning blood transfusions
B) in gene therapy for cancer, the new gene spliced in will generate a protein (tumor antigen) which the immune system will use to identify/target the cancerous cells in the patient's body
C) antibodies of the donor are what cause coagulation in the case of a botched (incorrect) blood transfusion
D) antigens are surface protein markers on all cells (including bacteria) which allow the immune cells to determine self from non-self
E) antibodies locate…

Words 1949 - Pages 8

* Test names and other trademarks are the property of the respective trademark holders. None of the trademark holders are affiliated with this website.